This book just tore my heart because of its subject matter. Dr. McDonough was a teen tasked with taking care of his family when his dad was out of town. That’s when the fire occurred that burned him badly and killed two members of his family. This is the story of the pain he endured on his way to healing, both physically and mentally. It is also the story of a young man who learns to cry out to God. He suffered the worst way imaginable and was able to come through with a new vision and purpose for his life. The story was hard for me to read because my father was burned badly when I was a young child. I knew that my dad spent over a year in a burn unit and had scars for the rest of his life. This book gave me insight into the horrible treatment that my father had to undergo and, honestly, there were times when I could not see the print through my tears. I am thankful that this memoir gave me this insight and I think that all who want to empathize with victims of great tragedy should read it; it will certainly open your eyes to the suffering that burn victims go through and the changes that they have to accept in their lives. My father passed away two years ago; I wish that I had had this book before he died so I could talk to him and just tell him that I understood his pain more clearly. I hope that all who read this review will pick up this book and read it with an open mind and an open heart.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This heart-wrenching book is available now at your local bookseller or online. Because of the graphic descriptions of the author’s suffering, I would only suggest that mature teens and adults read it.